2021 Phoenix Mercury season explained

The 2021 WNBA season was the 24th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season tipped off on May 14, 2021, at the Minnesota Lynx.[1]

The team returned to the newly renovated Phoenix Suns Arena this season. Originally the team had planned to be elsewhere for the 2021 season, but renovations were finished ahead of schedule.[2]

The start to the season was a mixed bag for the Mercury. They went 3–3 during the first month of the season. June was a streaky month for the team as they won the first two games, but then went on a four game losing streak. The streak was broken by two wins, but followed by a loss to finish the month 4–5. The Mercury lost the first game of July, won the middle two, and lost the last game before the Olympic break. They went into the Olympic break with a 9–10 overall record. The Mercury had a spectacular return from the Olympic break, winning all seven of their games in August. Of the seven games only three were against playoff teams, and two of those three were against the eventual eight seed, New York Liberty. The Mercury extended their winning streak into September, and won their first three games of the month. However, their last three games of the season were against the eventual first, second, and fourth seeded playoff teams, and the Mercury lost all three games to finish the month 3–3. They finished with an overall record of 19–13 and secured the fifth overall seed in the playoffs.

As the fifth seed in the playoffs, the Mercury did not receive a bye played in the First Round. They defeated eight seed New York 83–82 in a close game. As the higher remaining seed in the second round, they traveled to Seattle to face off against the fourth seeded Storm. The Mercury advanced in a thrilling overtime game, 85–80. As the highest seed to advance from the second round, the Mercury played the second seeded Las Vegas Aces in the Semifinals. In a back and forth series the Mercury won games two, three, and five to win the series 3–2 and advance to the Finals. In the Finals, the team faced the Chicago Sky. The Mercury had home court advantage, meaning the first two games were played in Phoenix. The Mercury split those games 1–1 and the series advanced to Chicago. The Sky won both the games at home, and the series 3–1.

Transactions

WNBA draft

See also: 2021 WNBA draft.

Trades/Roster Changes

DateDetails
January 6, 2021Extended Qualifying Offers to G Marta Xargay, G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, G Sonja Petrovic, G Shey Peddy, F Nia Coffey, and C Angel Robinson[3]
January 12, 2021Re-Signed G Shey Peddy to a Training Camp Contract[4]
January 23, 2021Re-Signed F Nia Coffey to a Training Camp Contract[5]
February 1, 2021Re-Signed G Diana Taurasi[6]
February 5, 2021Signed C Kia Vaughn[7]
Rescinded Qualifying Offer to G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough[8]
February 10, 2021Traded the 6th Overall Pick in the 2021 WNBA draft and a 1st Round Pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft to New York in exchange for G Kia Nurse and F Megan Walker[9]
Waived F Nia Coffey[10]
February 13, 2021Traded G Yvonne Turner to Atlanta for a 3rd Round Pick in 2022[11]
March 22, 2021Signed F Sara Blicavs and G Marta Xargay[12]
April 16, 2021Signed G Tiana Mangakahia, C Avery Warley-Talbert, and C Akela Maize to Training Camp Contracts[13]
April 16, 2021Signed F Cierra Burdick to a Training Camp Contract[14]
April 25, 2021Signed C Ciera Johnson to a Rookie Scale Contract[15]
May 8, 2021Waived G Marta Xargay, C Akela Maize, and C Avery Warley-Talbert[16]
May 10, 2021Waived F Cierra Burdick[17]
May 12, 2021Waived G Tiana Mangakahia, F Sara Blicavs, and C Ciera Johnson[18]
May 13, 2021Temporarily Suspend C Kia Vaughn due to Overseas Commitments[19]
May 14, 2021Sign F Cierra Burdick to a Hardship Contract[20]
May 26, 2021Activate C Kia Vaughn from Temporary Suspension List[21]
Release F Cierra Burdick from Hardship Contract
May 27, 2021Signed G Haley Gorecki to a Hardship Contract[22]
May 27, 2021Released G Haley Gorecki from the Hardship Contract[23]

Game log

Preseason

|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| May 8| Seattle| L 71–88| Kia Nurse (12)| Alanna Smith (8)| Nurse
Taurasi (3)| Phoenix Suns Arena
1,985| 0–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| May 10| @ Seattle| L 93–103| Kia Nurse (26)| Brittney Griner (6)| Cierra Burdick (6)| Angel of the Winds Arena| 0–2

Regular season

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 1| May 14| @ Minnesota| W 77–75| Skylar Diggins-Smith (18)| Brittney Griner (12)| Taurasi
Diggins-Smith (5)| Target Center
2,021| 1–0|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| May 16| @ Connecticut| L 78–86| Diana Taurasi (19)| Brianna Turner (8)| Diana Taurasi (5)| Mohegan Sun Arena
2,042| 1–1|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 3| May 18| @ Washington| W 91–70| Diana Taurasi (17)| Brianna Turner (14)| Shey Peddy (6)| Entertainment and Sports Arena
1,050| 2–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| May 21| Connecticut| L 67–84| Skylar Diggins-Smith (20)| Griner
Turner (5)| Diana Taurasi (4)| Phoenix Suns Arena
4,101| 2–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 5| May 26| Las Vegas| L 79–85| Brittney Griner (27)| Brittney Griner (11)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (11)| Phoenix Suns Arena
4,082| 2–3|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 6| May 29| @ Dallas| W 89–85| Brittney Griner (27)| Brittney Griner (16)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (7)| College Park Center
1,717| 3–3|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 7| June 1| @ Chicago| W 84–83| Skylar Diggins-Smith (24)| Nurse
Turner (8)| Shey Peddy (6)| Wintrust Arena
1,217| 4–3|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 8| June 3| Chicago| W 77–74| Skylar Diggins-Smith (28)| Brittney Griner (12)| Brianna Turner (6)| Phoenix Suns Arena
3,819| 5–3|- style="background:#fcc;"| 9| June 9| Dallas| L 81–85| Brittney Griner (27)| Brittney Griner (16)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (5)| Phoenix Suns Arena
3,618| 5–4|- style="background:#fcc;"| 10| June 11| Dallas| L 59–77| Brittney Griner (19)| Brittney Griner (6)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (5)| Phoenix Suns Arena
4,261| 5–5|- style="background:#fcc;"| 11| June 13| New York| L 83–85| Brittney Griner (29)| Brittney Griner (14)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (5)| Phoenix Suns Arena
4,476| 5–6|- style="background:#fcc;"| 12| June 16| @ Los Angeles| L 80–85| Brittney Griner (30)| Brianna Turner (12)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (10)| Los Angeles Convention Center
514| 5–7|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 13| June 18| @ Los Angeles| W 80–66| Skylar Diggins-Smith (21)| Griner
Turner (8)| Diggins-Smith
Nurse (4)| Los Angeles Convention Center
520| 6–7|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 14| June 27| Los Angeles| W 88–79| Diana Taurasi (25)| Brianna Turner (15)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (4)| Phoenix Suns Arena
7,304| 7–7|- style="background:#fcc;"| 15| June 30| Minnesota| L 76–82| Brittney Griner (28)| Brittney Griner (7)| Diana Taurasi (7)| Phoenix Suns Arena
4,122| 7–8|- style="background:#fcc;"| 16| July 3| Minnesota| L 68–99| Skylar Diggins-Smith (12)| Brianna Turner (6)| Kia Vaughn (4)| Phoenix Suns Arena
8,182| 7–9|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 17| July 7| @ Las Vegas| W 99–90 (OT)| Brittney Griner (33)| Brittney Griner (12)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (8)| Michelob Ultra Arena
3,013| 8–9|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 18| July 9| Seattle| W 85–77| Brittney Griner (29)| Brittney Griner (15)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (6)| Phoenix Suns Arena
7,554| 9–9|- style="background:#fcc;"| 19| July 11| @ Seattle| L 75–82| Kia Nurse (28)| Brittney Griner (9)| Shey Peddy (7)| Angel of the Winds Arena
5,110| 9–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 20| August 15| Atlanta| W 92–81| Skylar Diggins-Smith (19)| Brianna Turner (17)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (7)| Footprint Center
7,491| 10–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 21| August 17| Indiana| W 84–80| Brittney Griner (25)| Brianna Turner (11)| Diana Taurasi (7)| Footprint Center
4,089| 11–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 22| August 19| Washington| W 77–64| Brittney Griner (30)| Brianna Turner (14)| Brittney Griner (5)| Footprint Center
5,113| 12–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 23| August 21| @ Atlanta| W 84–69| Skylar Diggins-Smith (25)| Brittney Griner (12)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (7)| Gateway Center Arena
2,073| 13–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 24| August 25| @ New York| W 106–79| Skylar Diggins-Smith (27)| Brianna Turner (15)| Diana Taurasi (7)| Barclays Center
1,872| 14–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 25| August 27| @ New York| W 80–64| Skylar Diggins-Smith (27)| Kia Vaughn (11)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (7)| Barclays Center
2,315| 15–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 26| August 31| Chicago| W 103–83| Kia Nurse (21)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (8)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (10)| Footprint Center
5,838| 16–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 27| September 4| @ Indiana| W 87–65| Brittney Griner (22)| Brianna Turner (11)| Diana Taurasi (7)| Indiana Farmers Coliseum
N/A| 17–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 28| September 6| @ Indiana| W 86–81| Brittney Griner (21)| Brittney Griner (10)| Diana Taurasi (6)| Indiana Farmers Coliseum
N/A| 18–10|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 29| September 8| @ Atlanta| W 76–75| Shey Peddy (18)| Brianna Turner (15)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (5)| Gateway Center Arena
1,215| 19–10|- style="background:#fcc;"| 30| September 11| Connecticut| L 67–76| Brittney Griner (25)| Brittney Griner (12)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (5)| Footprint Center
9,811| 19–11|- style="background:#fcc;"| 31| September 17| @ Seattle| L 85–94| Brittney Griner (26)| Brittney Griner (13)| Brittney Griner (5)| Angel of the Winds Arena
6,000| 19–12|- style="background:#fcc;"| 32| September 19| Las Vegas| L 83–84| Skylar Diggins-Smith (17)| Brianna Turner (8)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (7)| Phoenix Suns Arena
9,724| 19–13

Playoffs

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 1| September 23| New York| W 83–82| Skylar Diggins-Smith (22)| Brittney Griner (10)| Brittney Griner (6)| Grand Canyon University Arena
5,827| 1–0|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 1| September 26| @ Seattle| W 85–80 (OT)| Brittney Griner (23)| Brittney Griner (16)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (6)| Angel of the Winds Arena
5,375| 1–0|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| September 28| @ Las Vegas| L 90–96| Brittney Griner (24)| Brianna Turner (8)| Griner
Taurasi (6)| Michelob Ultra Arena
7,009| 0–1|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 2| September 30| @ Las Vegas| W 117–91| Diana Taurasi (37)| Brianna Turner (8)| Diggins-Smith
Griner
Vaughn (5)| Michelob Ultra Arena
6,432| 1–1|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 3| October 3| Las Vegas| W 87–60| Brianna Turner (23)| Brianna Turner (17)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (9)| Desert Financial Arena
7,090| 2–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| October 6| Las Vegas| L 76–93| Diggins-Smith
Taurasi (14)| Brittney Griner (8)| Taurasi
Turner (4)| Footprint Center
11,255| 2–2|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 5| October 8| @ Las Vegas| 87–84| Brittney Griner (28)| Brianna Turner (11)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (8)| Michelob Ultra Arena
9,680| 3–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| October 10| Chicago| L 77–91| Brittney Griner (20)| Brianna Turner (9)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (4)| Footprint Center
10,191| 0–1|- style="background:#bbffbb;"| 2| October 13| Chicago| W 91–86 (OT)| Brittney Griner (29)| Griner
Turner (9)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (12)| Footprint Center
13,685| 1–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 3| October 15| @ Chicago| L 50–86| Brittney Griner (16)| Brianna Turner (7)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (3)| Wintrust Arena
10,378| 1–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| October 17| @ Chicago| L 74–80| Brittney Griner (28)| Brianna Turner (12)| Skylar Diggins-Smith (8)| Wintrust Arena
10,378| 1–3

Statistics

Source:[24]

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Brittney Griner303032.857.544.484.69.52.70.41.920.5
Skylar Diggins-Smith323232.545.237.081.83.25.31.10.817.5
Diana Taurasi161628.436.533.986.14.44.90.20.615.2
Kia Nurse323226.135.935.379.03.51.80.50.19.5
Brianna Turner323231.155.40.071.79.41.80.81.37.8
Sophie Cunningham30417.543.741.070.42.01.10.50.25.6
Shey Peddy32517.541.233.392.02.32.50.90.15.4
Kia Vaughn28215.844.40.060.02.71.30.20.24.6
Megan Walker29714.731.162.763.31.30.90.20.34.5
Bria Hartley608.556.357.10.00.70.80.20.03.7
Alanna Smith1806.523.519.025.01.30.60.40.31.2

Awards and Milestones

RecipientAward/MilestoneDate awardedRef.
Brittney GrinerWestern Conference Player of the WeekJune 1[25]
Diana TaurasiFirst WNBA player to reach 9,000 career pointsJune 27 vs. Los Angeles Sparks[26]
Skylar Diggins-SmithWNBA All-Star SelectionJune 30[27]
Brittney Griner
Diana Taurasi
Brittney GrinerWestern Conference Player of the WeekJuly 12[28]
August 23[29]
Skylar Diggins-SmithAugust 30[30]
Brittney GrinerSeptember 6[31]
September 13[32]
Brianna TurnerWNBA All-Defensive First TeamSeptember 26[33]
Brittney GrinerWNBA All-Defensive Second Team
Skylar Diggins-SmithAll-WNBA First TeamOctober 15[34]
Brittney Griner

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 Phoenix Mercury Schedule. mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. April 30, 2021.
  2. Web site: Mercury To Return To Newly-Renovated Phoenix Suns Arena. mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. February 9, 2021. April 30, 2021.
  3. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. January 6, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  4. Web site: MERCURY RE-SIGN SHEY PEDDY. winsidr.com. Winsidr. January 12, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  5. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. January 23, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  6. Web site: MERCURY, TAURASI AGREE TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT. mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. February 1, 2021. April 30, 2021.
  7. Web site: PHOENIX MERCURY RE-SIGN FREE AGENT CENTER KIA VAUGHN. mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. February 5, 2021. April 30, 2021.
  8. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. February 5, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  9. Web site: MERCURY ACQUIRES ALL-STAR WING KIA NURSE AND WING MEGAN WALKER. mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. February 10, 2021. April 30, 2021.
  10. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. February 10, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  11. Web site: Phoenix Mercury trade Yvonne Turner for 2022 third round draft pick. azcentral.com. AZ Central. February 13, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  12. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. March 22, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  13. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. April 16, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  14. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. April 17, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  15. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. April 25, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  16. Web site: Mercury Waive Xargay, Maize and Warley-Talbert. oursportscentral.com. Our Sports Central. May 8, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  17. Web site: Mercury Waive Cierra Burdick. oursportscentral.com. Our Sports Central. May 10, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  18. Web site: Tiana Mangakahia waived by WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. syracuse.com. Syracuse. May 12, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  19. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. May 13, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  20. Web site: Phoenix Mercury Announce Final Roster Ahead of 2021 Season. signalsaz.com. Signals. May 14, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  21. Web site: WNBA Transactions. wnba.com. WNBA. May 26, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  22. Web site: Rachel Galligan Tweet. twitter.com. Twitter. May 26, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  23. Web site: Transactions – Player Movement. acrossthetimeline.com. Across The Timeline. June 28, 2021. July 6, 2021.
  24. Web site: Stats - Phoenix Mercury. mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. October 18, 2021.
  25. Web site: Betnijah Laney And Brittney Griner Named Week 2 Players of the Week. wnba.com. WNBA. June 1, 2021. June 1, 2021.
  26. Web site: Taurasi Tops 9,000 Career Points, Helps Mercury Beat Sparks. wnba.com. WNBA. June 28, 2021. June 28, 2021.
  27. Web site: Rosters Set for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 on July 14. wnba.com. WNBA. June 30, 2020. July 1, 2021.
  28. Web site: WNBA Players of the Week: Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones. wnba.com. WNBA. July 12, 2021. July 13, 2021.
  29. Web site: WNBA Players of the Week: Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones. wnba.com. WNBA. August 23, 2021. August 23, 2021.
  30. Web site: WNBA Players of the Week: Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brionna Jones. wnba.com. WNBA. August 30, 2021. August 30, 2021.
  31. Web site: Week 11 Players of the Week: Jonquel Jones (Eastern) and Brittney Griner (Western). wnba.com. WNBA. September 6, 2021. September 7, 2021.
  32. Web site: WNBA Player of the Week: Tina Charles & Brittney Griner. wnba.com. WNBA. September 13, 2021. September 13, 2021.
  33. Web site: Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles named WNBA Defensive Player of Year for 4th time in career. ESPN. Mechelle. Voepel. September 26, 2021. September 26, 2021.
  34. Web site: The 2021 All-WNBA First & Second Team Announced. wnba.com. WNBA. October 15, 2021. October 15, 2021.

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